MADISON, WI (WTAQ) – Lawmakers in the Wisconsin Senate unanimously approved a bill Wednesday which would send excess revenue from the Lambeau sales tax to local municipalities.
The excess funds come after Brown County’s half-percent sales tax for the 2003 renovation and maintenance of Lambeau Field reached its goal at the end of March. Estimates show $17.6 million will be collected from April 1 through the end of the sales tax on September 30.
“Today, the Senate’s passage of this bill puts us one step closer to ensuring that Brown County residents receive the timely and efficient return of their tax dollars,” says State Representative David Steffen (R-Howard). “This one-time financial boost is structured in a way that will allow local governments to innovatively invest in their communities. I am eager to see this legislation move forward quickly to allow these exciting projects and initiatives to get underway.”
Steffen is the main sponsor of the Assembly bill, while State Senator Rob Cowles (R-Allouez) is the main sponsor in the upper house.
“Passage of this bill represents the completion of the agreement made between the state and the taxpayers of Brown County back in 2000,” Cowles said in a statement. “I’m pleased to have worked with Rep. Steffen and the stakeholders to return this money in a fair manner to the hard-working taxpayers in communities within Brown County.”
Legislation now heads to the Assembly, who is in session next week.
The bill would set aside one-quarter of the money for redeveloping the aging Brown County Arena, worth about $4.4 million. The other $13.2 million would be distributed to the county’s municipalities based on population, to be used for property tax relief, debt reduction or economic development.
If no action is taken, the excess money could sit in a state account for 16 more years.
Cowles and Steffen hope the legislation can be passed and signed quickly so the money can be distributed to municipalities before the end of the year.
